A position statement about predictive genetic testing among children
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

A position statement about predictive genetic testing among children

Majd Mrayyan Professor, Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
Hazem Al Azzam Registered nurse, Royal Medical Services, Jordan
Omar Al Omari Associate professor, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Khloud Al Dameery Student, Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan and in Muscat, Oman

Genetic testing of children to predict their future risk of illness is controversial. When parents make the decision to test their children, they deprive them of their autonomy. Furthermore, while genetic testing to predict the onset of treatable illnesses is welcomed, healthcare providers argue that it is of no benefit for untreatable disorders, such as certain types of cancer.

The authors believe that the benefits of predictive genetic testing of children outweigh the concerns and that it should be encouraged. This article provides a position statement of many healthcare providers and researchers in Jordan. It intends to encourage the development of a policy for the genetic testing of children in Jordan as well as other countries where these policies are lacking.

Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2019.e1205

Peer review

This article has been subject to open peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

mmrayyan@hu.edu.jo

Conflict of interest

None declared

Mrayyan M, Al Azzam H, Al Omari O, Al Dameery K (2019) A position statement about predictive genetic testing among children. Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2019.e1205

Published online: 23 September 2019

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